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We talk shop with Nottingham legend and boss laydeh Charity Shop Sue
Tue 02 Jul 2024Fashion guru, DJ, LGBTQ+ icon, boss laydeh and star of her own TV show, it could be said that Charity Shop Sue is Nottingham’s biggest export. Having first graced our screens a decade ago, we thought it time to catch up, reflect on her illustrious career, and get some sahnd advice for living your best life.
![14 Charity Shop Sue](/media/h4jnaguq/14-charity-shop-sue.jpg?rxy=0.6041666666666666,0.346875&width=500&height=650&format=jpg&autoorient=true&sourceWidth=960&sourceHeight=960&v=1dac71538025ad0)
We learned about the Big City Reads project, which is giving away thousands of books to Nottingham’s youngsters
Mon 01 Jul 2024Books broaden young people’s horizons, give them an educational leg up, and can even provide big health benefits - but sometimes reading gets costly. We learned about the Big City Reads project, which is giving away thousands of books to Nottingham’s youngsters…
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We speak to The Pastel Project about safety, healthcare, education, and making Nottingham a Trans Sanctuary City
Mon 01 Jul 2024Trans identities have become a huge news topic in recent years. Despite only 0.5% of the population reporting their gender identity and sex to be different than when registered at birth*, the media often leads us to believe that trans people pose a risk to the wider society, while trans people are rarely given a voice.
To learn more from the community themselves, we put some questions to Nottingham organisation The Pastel Project, to hear how they are looking to make Nottingham a Trans Sanctuary City, and understand their perspective on topics such as safety, law-making, healthcare, and education.
*respondents in the 2021 UK census
![Pastel Project](/media/nswj1hzt/pastel-project.png?rxy=0.5020845327711747,0.5405776741301729&width=500&height=650&format=png&autoorient=true&sourceWidth=1535&sourceHeight=4075&v=1dac71c0b37d0f0)
Festivals, exhibtions and gigs: Here's what's on this week in Notts: 1 - 7 July 2024
Sun 30 Jun 2024This week in Notts! Enjoy some homegrown talent on the canal at Waterfront Festival or an array of tribute acts at Could Be Real Festival, take an arty excursion to New Art Exchange or have a family day out at the Sneinton Festival.
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Festival review: Day three at Download Festival
Sun 30 Jun 2024A fortnight ago, Download 2024 had reached its final day. LeftLion was there to witness an incredible climax to a weekend of rock and metal music at Donington Park...
![Atreyu (1)](/media/o2iayyjg/atreyu-1.jpg?width=500&height=650&format=jpg&autoorient=true&sourceWidth=2363&sourceHeight=1575&v=1dacb1413693f60)
Festival review: Day two at Download Festival
Sat 29 Jun 2024This time two weeks ago, LeftLion was fully immersed in the world of Download, the spiritual home of rock and metal music. Here's what happened on day two of the festival...
![Fear Factory (2)](/media/ibaonhqw/fear-factory-2.jpg?width=500&height=650&format=jpg&autoorient=true&sourceWidth=2362&sourceHeight=1575&v=1dacacff5b87b00)
Follow the rainbow: we learn about Notts LGBT+ Network
Sat 29 Jun 2024With official Pride month coming to an end and Notts Pride coming up soon, we thought it important to honour a charity that has given nearly fifty years of its time to Nottingham’s Queer community: Notts LGBT+ Network. Beth Green is a current volunteer for the Network; they caught up with two others David and Rachel, to share their commendable work and dedication.
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Festival review: Day one at Download Festival
Fri 28 Jun 2024Every year, thousands of rock fans from across the globe make the pilgrimage to Donington Park, only half an hour from Nottingham city centre. This year, LeftLion joined them for an epic weekend at the 2024 edition of Download, perhaps our country's most legendary rock and metal music festival. Here's what happened on day one...
![DOWNLOAD 2024 JAMESBRIDLE DSC 5913](/media/4seb4mdp/download_2024_jamesbridle_dsc_5913.jpg?width=500&height=650&format=jpg&autoorient=true&sourceWidth=5000&sourceHeight=3333&v=1dac94ab505ccb0)
Concert Review: Sir Mark Elder's Farewell Concert
Fri 28 Jun 2024The Hallé marks the end of Sir Mark Elder's glittering career with a farewell concert at the Royal Concert Hall...
![Sir Mark Elder Web Hero Image 1600X600](/media/aryb25r2/sir-mark-elder_web_hero_image_1600x600.jpg?width=500&height=650&format=jpg&autoorient=true&sourceWidth=1600&sourceHeight=600&v=1dac9476328cc10)
Gig review: Belle Chen at Metronome
Thu 27 Jun 2024Belle Chen is a captivating modern classical artist, born in Taiwan and raised in Australia. Last week, she graced the stage at Nottingham's Metronome – a venue with a growing reputation for bringing our city the very best in established and new touring music as part of their ongoing Piano Sessions series...
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Gig review: The Mysterines at Rough Trade
Wed 26 Jun 2024The Mysterines recently delivered an intimate live performance at a packed-out Rough Trade Nottingham ahead of the release of their much-anticipated sophomore album. LeftLion was there...
![THE MYSTERINES 180224 Gullick 1 12 1](/media/bvtni20y/the-mysterines-180224-gullick-1_12-1.jpg?width=500&height=650&format=jpg&autoorient=true&sourceWidth=2500&sourceHeight=3187&v=1dac814384aac90)
Dig it! We speak to York Archaeology about community digs at Wollaton Hall
Tue 25 Jun 2024Every year since 2019, a motley crew of students and local history enthusiasts has descended upon Wollaton Hall for a series of archaeological training excavations. They can be easily spotted about the grounds: a happy-looking crowd clad in mud stained high-vis, gleefully digging away or enthusiastically explaining themselves to curious park-patrons. These digs are run by Laura Parker and Tristan Cousins, community archaeologists from York Archaeology, who I met to talk about the project…
![Archaeology Dig Lead Picture](/media/rzslcy43/archaeology-dig-lead-picture.jpg?rxy=0.3909539138124646,0.5579113179698738&width=500&height=650&format=jpg&autoorient=true&sourceWidth=2048&sourceHeight=923&v=1dac6f59f2c78f0)
Film Review: The Bikeriders
Sun 23 Jun 2024Denim, leather and grease: we take a ride to the American Midwest in Jeff Nichols's new work which explores the culture and community of famed biker gang, the Chicago Vandals…
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Parties, theatre, the Queer Glitter Ball, a Boots Exhibition, and 90s grunge: Here's whats on in Notts this week: 24 - 30 June
Sun 23 Jun 2024The sun is out, the days are long. Get out and about in Notts this week to see exhibitions, theatre, gigs, parties and more. Here's our top picks of things coming up in Notts...
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